“Why me?” was exactly what I thought when I first saw this year’s Oratorical topic. Why should I even bother trying to produce a presentable speech on such an unimaginative topic? My first plan was to write whatever came to mind and call it “done.” However, as I gave this idea more thought, I realized that the question, “Why me, why not?” was actually very meaningful to me. My concern about our changing climate kept coming to mind.

What can I do? Why me? Why should a 16 year old student living in a small city like Bislig care about climate change and global warming? Aren’t fourth year high school students should be more concerned about friends, fashion and fun instead of the future? After all, I’m only one small person living in a huge world with billions of other people who can do things.

I don’t have the money or power to make big changes, or even to change my lifestyle by buying a smaller car or solar power generator for our house’ electricity use. Besides, why should I be hot in summer for not turning on the air conditioner and the electric fan if no one else around me cares? I don’t live near in Gangas where my house could be hit by landslide and my family can easily relocate to a safe place should there be a tsunami.

Why NOT me? As a sixteen year old, I expect to have many more years left on Earth. Scientists predict that, in my life span, Earth will undergo great climate changes. These changes will affect everyone on Earth, not just the people around the Polar Regions and the coasts. Average temperatures are on a rising trend. We are already seeing more severe weather patterns, such as the extreme drought conditions and heavy rains brought about by typhoons resulting to floods and landslides that we are experiencing right now here in the Philippines. The drying up of La Mesa Dam resulting to inadequate water supply in Luzon; which is in contrast with the flooding in CARAGA region that has left many homeless and dead.

Insect pests and certain diseases are spreading to new places as local environments change. Many animals, such as the polar bear, are joining a rapidly expanding endangered species list. According to the International Panel on Climate Change, in a report released in 2007 on climate science, fossil fuel use continues to rise worldwide. Hundreds of coal-powered plants remain on the drawing boards in the United States, China and elsewhere. Tropical forests continue to fall at record rates.